"He had been under a lot of pressure and I thought he had handled it quite well.

“I think it is difficult but if he had been given that time, I am sure he would have come through the other side. He hasn’t been given the time and they’re looking for a new manager now, but it’s the nature of the job I’m afraid.

“When you come into it you’re going to go through difficult periods and you just hope you get that support for a long enough period to turn it round, but I am sure he will bounce back.”

Before the game, Robins revealed that he saw Hughes as an idol at the beginning of his Red Devils career.

“He was one of my heroes growing up,” Robins told Sky Sports.

“He wasn’t that much older than me but he was at the age where I could look up to him as he came through the ranks and got into the first team.

“He was such a powerhouse and a top striker, it was difficult to dislodge him, so our paths crossed [more often] playing for different teams. He’s a good guy and hopefully things will now settle down for him.”

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It was Hughes who provided the assist for Mark Robins's famous goal that many believe helped to save Sir Alex Ferguson’s job at United in the 1990 FA Cup third round.

As for City's next opponents in the fourth round, Robins says he would love a trip to any of the Premier League sides that are in the competition.

Coventry City manager Mark Robins gestures on the touchline during the FA Cup, third round match at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday January 6, 2018. See PA story SOCCER Coventry. Photo credit should read: Nigel French/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

“One of the big ones away from home, Tottenham away, we can’t get Arsenal now so Tottenham away at Wembley would be magnificent, Man United away, Man City at the Etihad, any of the big ones," he said.

“You have got Newcastle as well, any Premier League side away from home or even at home. We could fill the stadium, it would be a magnificent occasion and we could have another good go at a Premier League team which is what it was all about.

“I think that desire to play and beat the Premier League team on Saturday was there for everyone to see so let’s get behind everybody and get the Ricoh rocking again.”